Train Sim World® 5 News

New services and new layers for an old favourite! Köln - Aachen timetable updates are coming soon.

We’ve been talking about the upcoming Köln-Aachen timetable update for a little while now, coming to bolster the total service count with a huge new selection of playable and AI services.



As a reminder, this will be a free update to owners of the route and Train Sim World 5. Today we wanted to confirm all the Add-ons that will add layers on to the route following the update and the roll out plan for different platforms.

As a note: the timetable update will initially be rolled out to Steam players only, with other platforms receiving the update at a later time.

[h3]The Timetable and Additional Service Layers[/h3]



With all relevant content installed, the service count will go up considerably from the original 552 services to over 4000 (of which around 600 will be playable)!

Below is the full list of Add-ons that will add playable and AI services to the new timetable:

Bremen-Oldenburg

• BR110 with n-wagen services on certain AI RB48 (Köln) and RE4 (Aachen) services.
  

Dresden-Riesa

• Playable Zacns freight services and static Zacns wagons around the route.
  

Frankfurt-Fulda

• for AI ICE-T services
  

Hauptstrecke Rhein-Ruhr

• for the BR 422 operating S6 services and BR 425 operating RE8, RB26, RB27 (all at Köln) and RB33 (at Aachen)
  

Linke Rheinstrecke

• for a BR 103 railtour service
  

LGV Méditerranée

• TGV AI services subsituting for Thalys services between Aachen and Köln
  

Maintalbahn

• for the DB BR 642 DMU serving all major stations. More details can be found below.
  

Main-Spessart Bahn

• for the DB BR 146
  

Ruhr-Sieg Nord's DB BR 363

• Shunting and local services throughout the route and in yards such as Stolberg and Köln Hansaring
  

Salzburg-Rosenheim

• BR 111 on RE4 services at Aachen Hbf
  

Schnellfahrstrecke Kassel-Würzburg

• ICE 1 AI services at Köln as well as a few playable services running the full length of the route, plus ICE 3 AI services at Köln. Most freight services also come from this Add-on.
  

Railpool BR 193 Vectron

• Playable and AI NightJet services
  

FlixTrain BR 193 Vectron

• FlixTrain AI services at Köln Hbf with a few playable depot moves and two full length runs (one each way).
  

DB BR 101 (original Add-on)

• IC services as AI at Köln as well as a few playable services running the full length of the route
  

DB BR 218

• One short freight service that is bound for a diesel-only branch line
  

S-Bahn Köln BR 423

• The BR 423 from the New Journeys pack runs all S11, S12 and S19 services. These are all in their own layers for this timetable and do not affect the New Journeys timetable.
  

Hauptstrecke Hamburg–Lübeck

• static Roos-t wagons throughout the route
  

S-Bahn Köln BR 423

• The BR 423 from the New Journeys pack runs all S11, S12 and S19 services. These are all in their own layers for this timetable and do not affect the New Journeys timetable.
  

[h3]Further timetable details[/h3]


On the New Journeys timetable, RE8 and RB27 had problems joining the mainline in the southbound direction and always ran late, causing only northbound services to be playable. This timetable has them running on time in both directions.



In this timetable, the original RE1, RE9, S-bahn and ICE services will of course still feature. New AI services will also be seen at various stations such as Aachen Hbf, Düren and of course Köln Hbf which has non-stop activity through the day including RE7 trains.

For players with the Main-Spessart Bahn route Add-on there are additional peak-only RE1 services that run non-stop between Aachen Hbf and Düren only stopping at Stolberg Hbf. RE1 also has two services a day that stop additionally at Eilendorf.

[h3]DB BR 642 Services (from Maintalbahn)[/h3]



The addition of RB20 services will allow players to serve a new station, Eilendorf Bahnhof, which is only serviced by RB20 and some peak RE services. RB20 trains also run between Langerwehe and Düren and as AI at Langerwehe.



Maintalbahn also adds:

• RB21 & RB28: AI traffic at Düren
  
• RB12, RE22, RB24. RB25: AI only traffic in the Köln area.
  
• RB38: Playable services between Köln Hbf and Horrem as well as AI only services at Horrem.
  

[h3]Freight services[/h3]



For the freight fans, the timetable now features a huge new range of services to experience mostly via the Kassel - Wüurzburg route Add-on. Freight trains will need to stop at passing points for highspeed trains or even other freight trains, and whilst most are A-B runs, there are a few shunting services for Stolberg too.

[h3]Platform roll out[/h3]
The timetable update is scheduled to be rolled out initially to Steam players only, with other platforms receiving the update at a later time. This will come with the next scheduled TSW patch update, alongside a range of other improvements and fixes for various add-ons, ahead of the release of Cargo Line Vol.3: Intermodal on 1st May.

We will provide further details about the new Köln-Aachen timetable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Epic Games players at a later time whilst our teams continue to test these platforms.

If you're a player on PlayStation 4, you may have already gotten a sneak preview of the new timetable, as this was unintentionally included on builds earlier in the month. We've not been able to further test this platform, and we will share more news for our roll out on PS4 alongside all other platforms as soon as we can. In the meantime, if you do give it a try on PS4, please be aware of any issues that you may encounter, and we welcome any thoughts you have in our Köln-Aachen Timetable feedback thread, which we will share early next week.

[h3]TSW5: Compatible Schnellfahrstrecke Köln - Aachen[/h3]



If you're new to Train Sim World 5, you can still pick up Schnellfahrstrecke Köln-Aachen as Compatible content.

This high-speed route between two historic cities in Köln and Aachen features the DB BR 406 ICE 3M and DB BR 422 EMU, with both LZB and PZB operations. Stopping services arrive at intermediate stations such as Düren and Free Roam allows players to operate in and around the complex yard north of Köln, including the turntable.



In reality, freight is a regular feature along the route, as are S-Bahn services and depot movements between yards and stations, making it the ideal route to be updated with these additional timetabled services from the wider Train Sim World collection.

Find out more about Train Sim World 5 by following @trainsimworld on X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok.

[h3]The Story So Far:[/h3]



Cargo Line Volume 3 continues Skyhook Games’ series of freight-themed gameplay packs that add different freight wagons to formations and more gameplay to selected Train Sim World routes.

Previous Cargo Line releases include:

• Cargo Line Volume 1: Petroleum (VTG TEA Tanker Wagon)
  
• Cargo Line Volume 2: Aggregates (HOA Bogie Hopper Wagon)
  

These both added gameplay to Midland Main Line and Great Western Express. Volume 2 also added services to Southeastern Highspeed and London Overground Suffragette line.

[h3]Cargo Line Volume 3: Intermodal[/h3] The Rolling Stock

FCA Intermodal Spine Wagon

New to the list of UK freight wagons available in Train Sim World is the FCA Intermodal Spine Wagon.

These were introduced to the UK in the year 2000. This fleet of approximately 400 wagons, arranged in coupled pairs, are capable of being laden with a variety of container-based loads and are found across the country. Ships bring containers in by sea, and export them abroad, but the journey between port and customer is done by rail. In Train Sim World 5, the FCA wagons feature dynamic container loads with containers of various sizes and colours.



Also new to Intermodal loads is the 20ft container, which is shorter in length and height than the 40ft version seen in previous releases.

The wagon consists of a main spine with multiple container locking points between two wheeled bogies. Conventional draw gear and buffers are located at one end, with a permanent connecting bar at the other for linking with a twin. These wagons feature dynamic container load so that no two trains are the same (in-game, some wagons in formations have been preselected not to be loaded).



The pack also comes with the DB Cargo variant of the Class 66, previously seen in other Train Sim World Add-ons.

[h3]Timetable, Scenarios and Gameplay[/h3]



Gameplay takes place across two routes:

• West Coast Main Line: London Euston-Milton Keynes
  
• East Coast Main Line: Peterborough-Doncaster
  

WCML: London Euston – Milton Keynes is included in Train Sim World 5: Standard, Deluxe and Special Editions.

East Coast Main Line is available as a separate route Add-on.

West Coast Main Line: London Euston – Milton Keynes

The Scenarios for WCML are:

• 4L44 Trafford Park to London Gateway. 60mins / Loco+28 wagons / 1,967t / 582m. Starting at Milton Keynes, heading south to Wembley Yard.
  
• 4M24 London Gateway to East Midlands Gateway. 60mins / Loco+28 wagons / 1,967t / 582m. Starting at Wembley Yard, heading north as far as Bletchley.
  
• 4L84 East Midlands Gateway to Barking Eurohub 40mins / Loco+28 wagons / 1,967t / 582m. Starting at Kings Langley, heading south to Willesden.
  

There will be 21 timetabled services to operate between Milton Keynes and London:

• 4L24: East Midlands Gateway to London Gateway (FCA)
  
• 4M88: Felixstowe North to Ditton (FCA)
  
• 4L56: Trafford Park to London Gateway (FCA)
  
• 4L60: Trafford Park to Felixstowe North (FCA)
  
• 4L82: Basford Hall to Felixstowe North (FCA)
  
• 4M18: Felixstowe North to Trafford Park (FCA)
  
• 4L52: Basford Hall to London Gateway (FCA)
  
• 4L97: Trafford Park to Felixstowe North (FCA)
  
• 4M93: Felixstowe North to Lawley Street (FCA)
  
• 4L47: Hams Hall to London Gateway (FCA)
  
• 4L23: Hams Hall to Felixstowe (FCA)
  
• 4M75: Tilbury to Daventry (FCA)
  
• 4L57: Daventry to Felixstowe (FCA)
  
• 4L18: Trafford Park to Felixstowe South (FCA)
  
• 4M02: Felixstowe North to Hams Hall (FCA)
  
• 4M60: London Gateway to Trafford Park (FCA)
  
• 4L80: Basford Hall Yard to London Gateway (FCA)
  
• 4L15: Trafford Park to Felixstowe North (FCA)
  
• 4M41: London Gateway to Lawley Street (FCA)
  
• 4M63: Felixstowe North to Trafford Park (FCA)
  
• 6O71: Daventry to Dollands Moor (FCA)
  

Journey Mode is also supported in ‘West Coast Containers’

[h3]East Coast Main Line: Peterborough – Doncaster[/h3]


The Scenarios for ECML are:

• 4E30 Felixstowe North to Leeds Terminal. 30mins / Loco+30 wagons / 1,943t / 622m. Starting at Retford, heading north to Doncaster
  
• 6L55 Tinsley Yard to Ripple Lane. 45mins / Loco+22 wagons / 960t / 462m. Starting at Newark Northgate, heading south to Peterborough.
  
• 4E20 Felixstowe to Masborough. 120mins / Loco+24 wagons / 1,013t / 502m. Starting at Peterborough, heading north to Doncaster.
  

There will be 12 timetabled services to operate between Doncaster and Peterborough:

• 4E64 Felixstowe North to Tees Dock (FCA)
  
• 4L78 Tees Dock to Felixstowe North (FCA)
  
• 4E97 London Gateway to Masborough (FCA)
  
• 4E59 Felixstowe North to Leeds (FCA)
  
• 4L10 East Midlands Gateway to Felixstowe North (FCA)
  
• 4L88 Leeds to London Gateway (FCA)
  
• 4L20 Masborough to Felixstowe South (FCA)
  
• 4E45 Felixstowe South to Wakefield Europort (FCA)
  
• 4L83 Leeds to Felixstowe North (FCA)
  
• 4E58 Felixstowe North to Tinsley Intermodal [Part 1] (FCA)
  
• 4E58 Felixstowe North to Tinsley Intermodal [Part 2] (FCA)
  
• 0E04 Whitemoor Yard to Doncaster Up Decoy (FCA)
  

Both the FCA Intermodal Spine Wagon and Class 66 are supported in Livery Designer and Formation Designer, including both full and empty wagons.

The Class 66 also has Raildriver support.

A multitude of formation lengths are available to spawn in Free Roam and select in Scenario Planner.

Train Sim World 5: Cargo Line Vol.3: Intermodal will release on 1st May for £9.99/€11.99/$14.99

*UK pricing will be £9.49 on the certain platforms. For more detail see our main article on Dovetail Live.

Be sure to keep an eye out on Skyhook Games' social channels for more details on the Cargo Line series of Add-ons.

The Training Center Bunny is back! It's Easter time again, and this year we're celebrating by returning our in-game egg hunt across the Training Center!

[h2]Mastery Event Egg Hunt[/h2]
If starting the event anew, you will not initially be able to find the Easter bunny in Training Center, you must first unlock the mastery tile and activate it.

To unlock the event, you will need to complete any scenario or tutorial, which will then reveal the mastery tile in your Mastery Rewards Menu. Activate it and then head over to the Training Center to start the egg hunt!

There are 15 hidden eggs across the Training Center, and by finding certain amount of them you will unlock Easter-themed decal rewards. Here are the challenge tiers:

• Collect 3 eggs to unlock Easter Themed Decals.
  
• Collect 6 eggs to unlock Easter Egg Decals.
  
• Collect 12 eggs to unlock additional Easter Egg Decals.
  
• Collect all 15 eggs and the basket is complete - Go and check out the last egg in the basket in Reception.
  

Each time you collect an egg, another egg will be added to the basket in the reception area with the Easter Bunny, so you can watch as it builds up!

[h3]Event Disclaimer[/h3]
As a heads-up to those who have previously started last years Easter egg mastery, the eggs will be hidden in the same positions, and due to the way our mastery tiles work, the progress you may have already made on this event will remain so you may find that the basket is already complete when enabling the tile.

You can start the event fresh, even if you've previously completed it, by creating a new player profile, and then following the above steps required to enable the tile to appear.

[h3]Training Center Easter Bunny[/h3]



We encourage you to share your own completed egg baskets on social media, and please make sure to tag our accounts @TrainSimWorld! Why not even record the time it took you to find them all, and challenge others to do it faster?

[h3]Mastery Tile Note[/h3]

Those of you who have previously unlocked the Christmas Mastery Tile, you may already see the Easter mastery appear without even completing any services, but it will be missing an icon and will do nothing if you turn it on.

This is simply a visual error, and if you play a service the real mastery tile will unlock, and you can tell because it will correctly have the thumbnail, as shown:



[h3]Need a Hint? (Spoilers Ahead!)[/h3]

We've updated our Easter Egg Hunt map, which gives hints for the locations of the eggs, without overly revealing them. Hover over the spoiler text below for a hint (but not a reveal) for the egg locations!

Easter Egg Hunt - Approximate Egg Locations

We hope you enjoy this event, and again share with us any images or progress you've made on our socials or in our community spaces!

Start your Train Sim World 5 journey on Steam with the new great-value Humble Bundle supporting our charity partner CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).

Packed full of some of our favourite content, players can expect over 90% off a variety of content. You can remix your routes with additional locos and gameplay packs – including the recently-released Metrolink F59PHR locomotive!

[h2]Humble Bundle: TSW Route Remix[/h2] https://www.humblebundle.com/games/train-sim-world-5-route-remix-bundle


Available from 11th April – 3rd May 2025 for players on Steam

[h3]Tier 1 - $5[/h3]


Get a taste of Train Sim World 5 and learn how to operate various locomotives in the Training Center. Take what you have learnt to the Antelope Valley Line and control the EMD F125 diesel locomotive across California.

[h3]Tier 2 - $10[/h3]


If you want more, grab Tier 2 to also get everything from Tier 1 plus high-speed action on Southeastern Highspeed with the BR Class 395 EMU. Bust the Autumn leaves with the Rail Head Treatment Train and navigate complex commuter operations in Nahverkehr Dresden – Riesa.

[h3]Tier 3 - $15[/h3]


You get everything this bundle offers by purchasing Tier 3. Expand your Antelope Valley experience with the newly released Metrolink F59PHR, operate the Thameslink BR Class 700 on the Southeastern Highspeed, grab the Railpool BR 193 Vectron for more Dresden services, and more!

Please note: This bundle provides keys for Steam only.

If you have purchase higher than Tier 1, you must redeem your keys in the following order to ensure you receive your Train Sim World 5 content correctly:

• (Redeem 1st) Train Sim World® 5: Route Remix Bundle - Tier 1  
  
• (Redeem 2nd) Train Sim World® 5: Route Remix Bundle - Tier 2  
  
• (Redeem 3rd) Train Sim World® 5: Route Remix Bundle - Tier 3  
  

[h3]About CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)[/h3]
We’re delighted to be partnering with the brilliant suicide prevention charity, CALM, as part of this Humble Bundle – with a percentage of the proceeds from the bundles going towards their lifesaving work.

CALM works to help people in the UK end their suffering, not their lives. They are a suicide prevention charity, whose life-saving services, information and advice help anyone struggling with life to navigate the issues that can make us feel miserable. Their helpline is open every day, and is free and anonymous – there for anyone who is affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts, as well as those who are concerned for a loved one’s welfare.

You can check out their great tools to help look after yourself, and support those around you, here.
1 in 5 of us will have suicidal thoughts in our life, and in the UK, we lose 18 people per day to suicide. £12.20 can help them answer a life-saving call.



You may have noticed some real-life CALM posters appearing on the Cardiff City Network, sharing their suicide prevention message – and you can expect to see more of them in future content too.
Thank you for your support, and enjoy the great value Humble Bundle!

Hello everyone!

The latest update is here with a number of fixes and improvements across multiple TSW add-ons. To kick us off, the Vectron has received its anticipated ATB update! Zwolle – Groningen’s camera collision bug has been fixed, along with multiple fixes for the SNG Sprinter including adjustments made to the throttle sensitivity.

Thomas & Friends have received multiple updates such as a fix for the headlights toggling on and off and Thomas having a blurry face when in Photo Mode.

We also have fixes for Cardiff City Network, including multiple audio improvements for the Class 153 and removing those pesky floating shapes when in Guard Mode, as well as plenty of other fixes for other TSW add-ons. Check out some highlights and the full changelog below!

As always, please allow up to 24 hours for it to fully reach your system. Be aware that some systems may update automatically.

[h3]Highlights:[/h3]
Frankfurt Fulda DB Vectron
• Made improvements to the Frankfurt Fulda DB Vectron to support Dutch signaling, screen updates, both English/Dutch speaking sounds, and adding the ATB safety system.

Zwolle – Groningen
• Fixed an issue causing the external camera to collide with catenary poles.
• Fixed the flying cars around Meppel. We’re not that far into the future.
ICM3 Koploper
• Fixed the deadman switch functionality for controllers so it should now react properly.
SNG Sprinter
• Adjusted the throttle control to make it less sensitive when accelerating and breaking.
• Fixed an issue with the PIS on AI trains displaying incorrect information.

Thomas & Friends™
• Fixed an issue stopping Thomas and Diesel’s headlights from toggling on and off when using a controller.
• Fixed an issue where Thomas’ face blurred with the scenery when using motion blur in photo mode.
• Various localization improvements, including French and German being added into the subtitles for ‘The Hunt for the Missing Gifts’, ‘Diesel and the Fireworks’ and ‘A Problem to Solve’.

Cardiff City Network
• Fixed a visual issue causing white shapes to appear around loco wheels and during Guard Mode.
• Fixed an issue on PS5 causing trains to queue up in a line at Cardiff Central when arriving on services 1V96 and 1V95.
• Added external brake rub sounds to the Class 153.
• Increased the volume of flange squeal sounds so it is more audible on the Class 153.

[h3]Full Changelog:[/h3]
Core
• Removed negative scoring caused by safety system speed enforcements so they work as intended.
• Various smaller HUD and UI improvements.

Frankfurt Fulda DB Vectron
• Made improvements to the Frankfurt Fulda DB Vectron to support Dutch signaling, screen updates, both English/Dutch speaking sounds, and adding the ATB safety system.

Zwolle – Groningen
• Adjusted the draw distance of Groningen station signs to prevent them popping in and out.
• Adjusted wetness look of the track ballast.
• Fixed an issue where players were able to go out of bounds around the Groningen footbridge, causing them to get stuck at the base of it.
• Fixed an issue causing the external camera to collide with catenary poles.
• Fixed the flying cars around Meppel. We’re not that far into the future.
• Fixed an issue from the previous patch that changed the appearance of wet landscape materials.
• Removed the trees that were incorrectly placed on the roads.
• Adjusted the ticket validate sound so that it doesn’t get confused with the GSMR sound on Guard Mode.
ICM3 Koploper
• Fixed the deadman switch functionality for controllers so it should now react properly.
SNG Sprinter
• Adjusted the throttle control to make it less sensitive when accelerating and breaking.
• Fixed an issue with the PIS on AI trains displaying incorrect information.
• Fixed an issue where the 'Step Up' and 'Step Down' button prompts were displayed together when attempting to step down.
• Removed the low whine sound during the compressor activation.

Thomas & Friends™
• Adjusted the score for the ‘A Problem to Solve’ scenario so Platinum is now achievable.
• Told Diesel to stop vanishing after loading a save game in the ‘Devious Diesel’ scenario.
• Fixed the incorrect uncouple objective in the ‘Diesel and the Fireworks’ scenario.
• Fixed the incorrect camera position in the ‘Diesel and the Fireworks’ scenario.
• Fixed an issue where Thomas’ face blurred with the scenery when using motion blur in photo mode.
• Fixed an issue stopping Thomas and Diesel’s headlights from toggling on and off when using a controller.
• Various localization improvements, including French and German being added into the subtitles for ‘The Hunt for the Missing Gifts’, ‘Diesel and the Fireworks’ and ‘A Problem to Solve’.

Cardiff City Network
• Removed Reverser and Engine objectives in the ‘Adverse Conditions’ scenario and adjusted coupled formation from 2 to 1 car.
• Fixed a visual issue causing white shapes to appear around loco wheels and during Guard Mode.
• Fixed an issue causing snow to settle over scenery underneath shelter at Llandaf Station.
• Fixed an issue on PS5 causing trains to queue up in a line at Cardiff Central when arriving on services 1V96 and 1V95.
Class 150/2
• Fixed an issue where multiple options appeared blank in the Class 150/2 headlight shortcut menu.
• Fixed an issue where the ‘uncouple’ button text didn't move with the flap.
Class 153
• Added external brake rub sounds.
• Increased the volume of flange squeal sounds so it is more audible.
• Increased internal and external brake squeal audio.
• Increased volume of the external AWS Warning alarm
• Fixed an issue where applying DRA and max throttle stopped the train.
• Fixed the GSM-R radio in Cab 2, which now activates without needing the key in Cab 1.

Pfälzische Ludwigsbahn: Mannheim – Kaiserslautern
• Added more foliage around abandoned tracks at Schifferstadt.
• Fixed an issue where the 1000Hz PZB signal was incorrectly triggered after passing a green signal, even when driving within the speed limit.

Frankfurt Fulda Vectron
• Adjusted the pantograph voltage check on the DB Vectron to allow the circuit breaker to be closed when in training centre.
• Fixed an issue causing door controls to no longer work with IC coaches.

Linke Rheinstrecke
• Fixed an issue in the ‘Castle Run’ scenario causing the cab car to face the wrong direction on the BR 103.

Bremen - Oldenburg BR425
• Fixed an issue where switching the in-cab screens to contrast mode caused information to disappear.

Rhein-Ruhr Osten BR425
• Fixed an issue where switching the in-cab screens to contrast mode caused information to disappear.

Northern Trans-Pennine
• Fixed an issue stopping the cab door from opening during the introduction for the Class 40 and Class 101.
BR Class 47/4
• Fixed an issue where players couldn’t interact with any controls in the cab during the introduction.

Brighton Main Line Class 387/2
• Fixed an issue where the throttle on the Class 387/2 GX would become stuck during the tutorial.
Class 377
• Fixed an interior lighting issue for the middle carriages.
• Fixed an issue where players were unable to insert the Master Key during the introduction.

Horseshoe Curve ES44AC
• Fixed an issue where players couldn’t interact with any controls in the cab during the introduction.

New York Trenton ALP-46
• Fixed an issue where door panels on the ALP-46 were opening the wrong side doors on both sides of the train.

Sand Patch Grade
• Fixed an issue where players were unable to interact with the MFD screen in the 'Powering America’ scenario, preventing progress.
SD40-2
• Resolved an issue where players couldn’t insert the reverser, blocking progress in scenarios.
GP38-2
• Fixed an issue preventing the cab door from opening to board the GP38-2 in scenarios.

F59PHR
• Added missing Rail Driver to the F59PHR so the left and right door controls now work correctly.

Amtrak Acela
• Updated the alerter foot pedal on the Amtrak Acela so it’s now automatically pressed when sat to prevent false alerts in Boston South Station.

DB BR 204
• Fixed an issue where the reverser could not be interacted with during training.

BR Heavy Freight Pack
• Fixed an issue stopping the cab door from opening during the introduction for the Class 08.

Rapid Transit
• Fixed an issue where players were unable to interact with the battery switch during the Talent 2 intro.